We're a bit off on celebrating birthdays this year, but younger daughter (who turned 13 on 12/22) is finally getting her party. Five friends to an indoor water park a few suburbs over ($120) and Chinese food for dinner and a sleep over are on the books. I grocery shopped yesterday with due dilligence and coupons and feel that I should be able to stay within my parameters. The compromise over the Chinese food was this: I make the rice and home and buy fortune cookies and egg rolls (frozen). I'll pick up the orange chicken from Panda Express to defray total carry out cost. We'll have cake and ice cream and minimal snacks. Donuts and hot chocolate for breakfast. The kids usually get a $150 budget for birthday celebrations so this should be on budget too.

Payday and rent receivable day also. With money on autopilot, I sort of feel like all I'm doing is playing connect the dots for the monthly money snapshot. Older daughter has a ski trip coming up and Graduation pictures, though I'll probably opt for just the class photo and then take her to Penney's or Sears for reasonable packages/prices.

Update of those less fiscal who I am concerned about: BF had major crisis yesterday when she thought she was being paid for workmans' comp claim for the next week, but the workmans' comp representative called to say that the boss and MD in Occupational Health reviewed her situation and decided they could accomodate her. The nature of her injury is a possible stress fracture which will never show up on x-rays, so essentially the extent of the injury is based on self report. Apparently they are doubting her credibity given a spotty call-in sick record and she's already been written up. UPDATE: She had a phone interview through an agency for a maternity position in the school. Pay is decent and they'd like her to start on 2/13. Negative that she is dwelling on: It is only a 13-week assignment. I really had nothing more to contribute to the conversation, and just hope she makes some wise decisions. If she stays in her present situation, she forfeits the right to complain about anything to me.

Brother is doing OK. He's no longer wanted in the office and is being paid through the 29th. He has a second vehicle (a '92 Corvette that my father gave to him). He'll be giving back the company car which has 90,000 miles on it and needs a transmission (wise move). With it almost March, he will be able to use the Corvette as his primary mode of transportation. So he had a new battery and tire put on it yesterday. He seemed OK with the repair bill of $300. He's putting out resumes and just yesterday put out the email that he's ending his affiliation with the firm. We talked about his insurance on the car and house and I thought that maybe he could do better on his monthly premium, so maybe in his spare time he'll do some calling around. I gave him a bag of groceries, mostly rice/cereal/and pasta. He laughed heartily and gave a big thanks. It is nice to help out when one can.

Hope everyone has a great day!